Milwaukee Power Tools issued a statement last weekend confirming it was withdrawing its support of Shaun Muir’s Yamaha outfit for the legendary event in response to new rule changes preventing the use of after-market electronics systems, arguing that the regulations placed its riders - Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes - at a disadvantage on the YZF-R1s.

However, reports this week suggested Milwaukee may instead back Ulsterman Dunlop at the Mountain showpiece this year.

The 24-year-old Ballymoney man has been in talks with BMW Motorrad to ride a factory-supported S1000RR and looks certain to return to action in 2014 after mulling over the option of taking time away from the sport.

On Wednesday, Milwaukee’s UK Commercial Director, Dale McElveen, denied the company would pump its resources into a different rider or team at the 2014 Isle of Man TT races.

“I can categorically state that we have no plans to support any other rider at the Isle of Man TT on any type of machinery,” he said.

“This is a long-term project with Yamaha and we are looking ahead to many exciting plans in the future. We have made our decision to withdraw our support of Shaun Muir’s team at the TT because, as we have already stated, we believe the rule changes place Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes at a disadvantage,” he added.

“We will not have any role at the TT this year and have other plans to announce soon.”

One option Milwaukee may now explore is the possibility of running Hutchinson alongside Brookes and Tommy Bridewell in the British Superbike Championship.

Milwaukee will continue to support Muir’s team in BSB this year plus the NW200, Ulster GP and Macau Grand Prix.



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